Many people would live a minimalist lifestyle if they were given the opportunity. However, tiny home builders get asked one question more than any other. “Where can I park my tiny house?”

The issues have shifted from Why would anyone want to live tiny? To I want to live tiny, but how?

There are dedicated people and organizations who have devoted their time to furthering legislation to make tiny living legal in all 50 states, but we aren’t there yet. So research remains your best tool. We aren’t your local municipality or state government so it is important to know your zoning and coding restrictions and regulations.

If you are one of those who are sold out for tiny life but feel held back by parking restrictions and state by state illegalities, here are four options for parking your tiny home.

A Tiny House Community

Tiny house communities are becoming more common across the United States as those pioneers of the tiny house movement continue to push for the legislature to legalize tiny homes. These communities are hosted by a diverse group of landowners who lease spaces–some full-hook-ups and some boondocking–to tiny house owners. Many are designed like a typical campground, though most are focused on sustainability so they may have a shared spaces such as a garden. Others are more wooded and offer much more privacy and seclusion than a typical RV park.

RV Campground

Not all tiny house communities are RV friendly much like not all RV parks are tiny house friendly. However, legally, if your tiny home has been built by a manufacturer who certifies them with an RV or RVIA certification, an RV campground should be an option for you. There are, however, other stipulations to research such as your size. For instance, most national parks will not allow any rig to park overnight if its length exceeds 42 feet.

On Residential Land or Agricultural Property

This can be shaky ground, so tread lightly and do your due diligence with researching your local area. Every municipality is different. However, many people are parking in a friend’s back yard, or renting a spot from someone looking for extra income. While the situation may not be permanent if local officials decide to make an issue, this kind of space can be a great option for an extended period of time.

In states that frown upon tiny houses, folks get around that by parking on land that is zoned agricultural. Because many farmers hire seasonal help who might pull and RV or have small campsites or cabins for them, not much has been said to disrupt these more full-time parkers.

So the answer here is clear: Do Your Research. Start at the top within your municipality and ask questions. Otherwise, check out the other options for where to park your tiny.

Anyone who lives tiny will always tell you that parking is the biggest fear for potential buyers. However, they will also attest that they know very few folks who have been asked to move their tiny house. As long as you do your research, and be mindful of your location, living tiny can be the dream you’ve always hoped it would be for you.

Please note that nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice. Because every municipality is different, it is critical that you do your own research and make your own decisions about parking a tiny house.

We’re honored that Seattle Tiny Homes was just named #22 in a list of top 40 Seattle YouTube channels to follow by our friends at Feedspot. These Seattle YouTube channels were ranked based on criteria like:

Total YouTube channel subscribers, video views, and video uploads

Quality and consistency of videos

YouTube search ranking

You can check out the full list of the top 40 Seattle YouTube channels at Feedspot’s blog.

We’re pleased to feature a guest blog from our friends at Tiny House Society. Check out their work at www.tinysociety.co.

By Molli McGee

Interested in moving into a tiny house? You’re not alone. Tiny houses are sweeping the nation with their charming looks and clever functionality. And speaking of functionality, it’s one of the things that tiny houses happen to do best. With a small space comes a need for purposeful designs and simplified spaces; and a loft space is a great example of just that. Let’s take a look at some useful loft ideas for your tiny home.

Big Bed, Small Space

If you want to feel extra cozy on those chilly PNW nights, a bed that fills out the entire loft is the way to go. Think wall-to-wall mattress, blankets, and pillows! You’ll be able to scoot right out of bed in the mornings and right into bed in the evenings–what could be better than that?

Safety Railing

Nervous about falling over the edge? Safety railings aren’t just for toddlers! Add a decorative and functional railing to the edge of your loft space. You’ll enjoy your space much more.

Windows

A loft space is the perfect place to watch the stars with the people you care about. A few windows or a skylight not only make a great viewing point–they also allow for a lovely breeze! The addition of windows also spreads more natural light throughout your tiny home, making it appear more spacious.

Kid Space

Everyone needs a place to have some “me time,” and that includes the kids! A loft can be like a little treehouse in your tiny home. It’s a space where the kids can keep their toys, play board games, and even have sleepovers with their friends!

Extra Room

Assuming your vertical clearance is high enough, a loft space works well as an extra living room or home office. If your tiny house is extra tiny, an additional place to read a book or watch a movie might be a welcome idea. For the digital nomads out there, a loft office is also handy for productivity as it keeps you away from everything else on the ground floor.

Ladder or Stairs

Another aspect of having a loft is deciding how you want to access it. There are a number of options out there, and it’s up to you to decide which works best for your lifestyle! A rustic ladder (think vintage, rolling library ladder) can look aesthetically pleasing, but also take up minimal space. Metal rungs attached to the wall take up even less space and also look stylish in a tiny home. If climbing a ladder isn’t your cup of tea, then stairs can even be included in some tiny house plans. Add a few drawers or cupboards in the steps and you’ve got valuable, additional storage space!

Feeling inspired? Hopefully these tiny house loft ideas have given you some excellent design ideas for your own home. If you’re interested in designing your own tiny, a great way to do this is by first drawing out the floor plan yourself or by contracting a professional. That way, you’ll have a better understanding of exactly what you’re looking for.

Do you have your own tiny house loft ideas? Let us know in the comments below!

Author: Molli McGee

Bio:

Molli is a U.S. citizen currently living in Cape Town, South Africa. Aside from writing about tiny houses, Molli loves to be at the beach and eat food (often at the same time). As an avid surfer and beach-goer, she does her best to promote a sustainable way of living.

Choosing YOUR
Tiny House Builder

Selecting from the many Tiny House Builders that have suddenly popped up in the past few years can seem like a challenge. What makes people decide to choose one builder over another? What are the common questions that folks must ask themselves before entering into this relationship upon which your very tiny Future will be based? Some basic thoughts you will want to consider as you move forward that will help you decide if Seattle Tiny Homes is the right builder for you.

How long have they been building?

The tiny house movement is really still in its “baby” stage, so you might be tempted to go with a builder that has only been operating for a short amount of time, especially if they advise you about their many years in the construction business. Don’t be too hasty! There are other tiny house building companies that have been around for longer, and they have a wealth of knowledge about everything tiny, and how to get every square inch exactly right.

Those companies that have been building and selling tiny for years have learned, through trial and error, what works, and perhaps more importantly what doesn’t. Things such as: weight distribution, rodent/moisture barriers for the trailer, and air circulation to prevent too much moisture in the tiny space…are all factors that only experience can teach, and only a few of them.

The qualification of having been a “regular” house builder prior to jumping into the tiny business does not always mean the tiny houses will be built correctly. Seattle Tiny Homes has been building and selling tiny homes on wheels since 2010. And while Sharon Read, CEO and designer, was a “regular” home builder prior to this, the years since she began building tiny have highlighted the major differences between building small …and everything else. For example, in a traditional house, it might not matter if a stud is off by bit- it can be covered over and ignored. In a tiny house, every measurement must be precise, and exactly where it is supposed to go. Careless mistakes cannot be made and then covered up when every inch count.

What are they built on?

You should not build a THOW on anything less than a trailer made exactly for that purpose. THOW are meant to be mobile, and not all trailers are created equal. Since this is the literal foundation of your future home, it needs to be up to that task.
Don’t be afraid to ask your builder of choice about the trailers they use. Seattle tiny Homes actually builds our own trailers, since we were unable to find a manufacturer that could meet our exacting standards.
STH’s Tiny House trailers are equipped with:

pre-installed and insulated sub-floor

an integrated steel framework coupled with a special moisture/rodent barrier and marine grade plywood for additional protection

extra space for building (building out over the wheel wells and the drop-down floor allows for 12-18” more width 6-8” more headspace)

three axle options: drop axles, straight axles, or off-road axles

industrial paint designed to inhibit rust

adjustable coupler and sidewinding jack

a two-year warranty on the structure and axles

…and more!

What materials do they use?

It is important to understand that not all housing materials are created equal. Although it may be tempting to purchase a cheaper tiny house, be sure that the cost is not coming out where it counts. Ask the builder what they are using to build the tiny houses they produce and understand what it means. Do your research! Some materials are inexpensive but they will not stand up to the test of time, the motion of travel, or the weather of winter! Cheaper is not always better.
Seattle Tiny Homes is environmentally conscious and use both closed cell spray foam and rigid foam that are zero ozone depleting, or natural products such as wool. We build with FSC plywood wherever available. We are happy to install solar panels for you, or a water catchment system. Our tiny homes have vents at either end of the home for better air circulation. With a chemically-sensitive owner, we understand how affecting materials can be. We do not use formaldehyde-based products. Each of our tiny homes are built only with high quality, environmentally responsible materials.

Seattle Tiny Jewels are a custom line of one-of a-kind houses built by Seattle Tiny Homes for people all over the United States. We believe that you are unique and your tiny home should be, too. We have never built two alike! You can contact us to find out more.

Email me at: tours@seattletinyhomes.com

The Amethyst Fantasy is a 28’ long Wallingford model with triple 7K axles on a tiny trailer built just for this house. True dormers run the full length of the house which has cedar shake on top and lap siding below. A 40 year metal roof will withstand the elements no matter where this tiny house travels. Two French doors (with keyless entry) and many (Milgard brand) windows allow the light to flood in!

8 foot sleeping loft with perky purple railings looks cozy enough to nap in right now! A seconday loft is intended for storage.